Being Healthy for the Kids

Ewan McGregor on giving up alcohol years ago:

"What kind of regret would I have had to tell my children or my wife that I was dying because of something I could have done something about? I didn't want to be that kind of man."

From http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/03/30/10/ewan-mcgregors-alcohol-alarm

Crouching Father, Hidden Toddler

While "rushing" home today, I thought I wanted to buy a good book for myself. As I entered the mall (to go to the MRT station), a Booksale branch caught my eye. "Maybe I could buy a book I could read during the Holy Week," I thought.

Well, I didn't buy anything for me. But I did spend precious minutes contemplating whether or not to buy Zoe another book (I didn't). And I did end up buying B his own book, Crouching Father, Hidden Toddler: A Zen Guide for New Dads, by C.W. Nevious. It's a collection of short, funny essays about being a father. There's truth in those essays, which also makes them insightful. And, they're not just for fathers.

Here's an excerpt:

The Mighty Virtue of a Daughter and a Dad

Deep in the secret depths of their silent hearts, some fathers are the
tiniest bit disappointed when the learn the new baby will be a girl.

This is an epic error. For starters, girls play sports now. A lot. And
these aren't bunt-and-giggle games either. Elbows are thrown, knees are skinned,
and trash is talked.

But that's not really the point. Explaining the mysterious, powerful bond
between dads and daughters takes a lifetime. Why is it that you two can speak
without saying a word? Or can sense each other's moods? Does her mom complain
that you sometimes let her get away with murder?

Um...maybe. Is that a problem?

A daughter will unexpectedly give you a hug. Or sit with you and watch your
favorite classic movie on TV.

In fact, you are likely to find that your daughter is a nearly perfect
companion. She likes and understands you. Which is why, when she goes on a date,
you may find your heart taking an unexpected lurch. Remember when you secretly
wished she was a boy? This is payback.

Terminate the Exterminator!

Termicon Pest Control Services, located at Lot 2 Blk 14 Augsburg St, Mercedes Village, Cainta Rizal -- you suck! Honor your committment. Be a responsible company. Right now, you're acting like a fly-by-night operator.


Is there any recourse for decent and honest Filipinos who wish to report such fly-by-night companies? I've checked the site of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, but I'm not sure if there's a venue there to air our complaint.


The Story

Termicon, through their agent Randy Velasco, came to our house last July 2009 to do the termite treatment. We paid the full amount (probably our mistake), and was promised 4 quarterly check-ups, starting October 2009.

We've called the numbers they listed in the paper given to us. It's been several months after already, and Termicon still has not done any follow-up checks. We've called their phone number several times and were always given the run-around. Either there's no secretary, they'll call us back. There's no paper, they'll call us back. There's no schedule, they'll call us back. Eventually, today, 8 months later, one of their people comes to our house to explain that our record does not exist in their company, that the agent who did the treatment probably pocketed the money and did not enter it into their records. They didn't even offer an alternate solution to us! As a good service company, they should have offered an alternate solution, we'll do follow-up checks or you can talk to our manager, we'll reprimand Randy Velasco, we'll file cases against him, etc. But no, wala talaga. Nakakainis. Parang, they're in cahoots.

The person who came to our house, Mark Falcone, even asked us if Randy presented an ID when he came. When we asked for Mark's ID, he had none! None! Nada! Wala man lang calling card. He just wrote his name on a piece of paper because we asked him to.


My Conclusion -- We've Been Screwed!

So to the owner of Termicon Pest Control services, you're either a real con man, or your employees are screwing you big time.

And us unsuspecting customers, we're helpless! Can government help us? Can the taxes we pay guarantee that we'll be offered protection from these con people? I highly doubt it. But I do pray to God that the day will come that government will do it's duty.

3 Years of Boracay...and I'm only 2!

Yes, I've been to Boracay for 3 years in a row already! All because Daddy Bok is such an ultimate frisbee addict. Looking back at the blog posts, it turns out during my first year in Boracay, even Mommy Sym played frisbee. Now, she's fat and lazy just like me! Hehe. Joke lang mommy Sym!

3 years of Boracay-ness

It seems every year, I have this "warm-up" period before actually loving the sand and water. This year, I truly truly enjoyed the beach and the water only during our last full day in Bora. Mommy and Daddy should bring me more often to the beach!

I built sand turtles and sand fishes and sand crabs and sand seashells! Or rather, my Tita Rhea and Mommy Sym built them for me. Hehe. It's truly great to be a little princess!

Plus, guess what, imagine my delight when we opened Villa Rhazel's humble TV set and discovered, there was Playhouse Disney! Yippee! My favorite channel in all of the world!

I hope to see you again next year Boracay! Check out our pictures in the photo album section...some of these I took myself!


Thank you so much,
Zoe

Boracay Open 2010

March 11-15, 2010
Boracay Island, Philippines

Bok played in the Boracay Open, and his team (Toda the Flying Sprockets) won 3rd place! A great achievement indeed, considering their first 2 games on Day 1 were not so great. But they made it, 3rd place in Pool A! First and second place went to the Boracay teams -- Boracay Dragons/Bora A and Boracay B.

As usual almost all of the pictures here are of Zoe. Read her blog too.

Some highlights:

• watching the Pacquiao fight at Hey Jude bar. Really different vibe when you're watching a boxing match with lots of people rooting for the same person.


• romantic seafood dinner at Balinghai Resort. Medyo malayo sya ha. Bok told me not to raise my expectations too much. Hehe. It was really sweet. Thank you B!


• beer in the ocean while watching the sunset


• cocktails by the beach while watching the sunset


• great sunsets


• never-ending Playhouse Disney. Yes, may Playhouse Disney sa Boracay


• Zoe walking by herself in the ocean.


• Zoe's sand toys


• Zoe's sand pail, which also doubled as a "tabo" for giving Zoe a bath. Takot kasi si Zoe sa shower. I am so taking this one to the next beach outing!


• buggy ride around part of the island


• Zoe falling asleep a few minutes after sitting in the buggy


• Eating at Hungry Monkey and talking to the owner's parents. They live in QC but also go to Bora to kiteboard


• Asking the jeep driver how much it would cost to rent a kiteboard, and being told, "ay, sobrang mahal nyan." It turns out, it costs around 17-19K to learn, and that still excludes buying the equipment.

Overall mood: Thankful.

Mix Mix, Same Same

While snuggling to go to sleep:

Zoe: Mommy, bakit punta kayo office?
Mommy: Kailangan kasi mag work ni Mommy and Daddy eh.
Zoe: Bakit, para meron bili dede?
Mommy: Ahh, opo.
Zoe: Thank you! (sabay kiss)

On one hand, I'm surprised that she understands we work for the money, and that money buys the milk. I'm doubly happy she even said thank you. On the other hand...shouldn't we be working because we're passionate about something? And how about the saying that one should make money work for you, and not the other way around?

Passion. Someone once told me that if I didn't like what I did, I should quit. For me though, I like what I do. I like to program. I like discovering new things. I like helping people make use of those programs to make their lives easier. I don't like the politics though. Sabi ko nga, kadalasan, the bibo takes it all. [lots of stuff to be inserted here that I opt not to insert since it exposes my vulnerability to...well, politics].

So what's the point of this post?

1. Zoe is smart.
2. Zoe knows the value of money. For now.
3. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Nyeta.
4. I am trying to be optimistic. I hope you see it.
5. Hindi ako bibo. Pero di rin ako bobo no.

Harumph!